How to get motivated to write in the morning

“It’s too early for this.” Do you hear that little voice in your head when your alarm goes off? Then, you decide to hit the snooze button to get in an extra few minutes of sleep. Only by the time you close your eyes and open them back up it feels like you just went back to bed. Suddenly, you dread the thought of sitting at your desk, staring at a blank document, or having no inspiration to add on the words you crafted onto the page. Despite this being a common issue, there are several tactics you can do to feel relieved and motivated to start your day on a positive note.

By incorporating some of these strategies, you can boost your mood, focus on your morning task, and get creative juices flowing. Let’s take a look at effective ways you can wake up inspired from the moment you open your eyes.

TECHNIQUES TO GET UP

Do you wake up to the smell of blueberry pancakes? Is it the unique aroma with a hint of your favorite flavor like lavender or vanilla? Are awakened by loud music playing? 

What’s that one thing that gets you motivated to write in the morning?

I know it can be nerve-wracking getting up before dawn, especially if you all have a busy day ahead. You may think this is even worth my time. Keep in mind that writing is a continuous journey, and you’re always evolving. But here are a few tricks on how you can actually wake up.

Change your time

Okay! You are probably thinking, “Why is it necessary to change my time? I already hate getting up early as it is, or I only do that when it’s daylight savings.”

What if I told you that changing your time on your alarm clock could allow you to hit that snooze button?

Sounds good to be true!

Yes and no, depending on how you adjust to the shift in time.

All you need to do is set your clock fifteen or ten minutes before the actual time. Thus, when you set your alarm clock in the morning to get up, you can hit the snooze button. When you hear your alarm sound again, you will get up on time.

When you apply this method consistently, you create a habit that motivates your body and mindset to wake up. Small, healthy shifts can build long-term useful habits.

Brush your teeth

Have you ever woken up to a parched mouth? 

Not fresh?

Taste of plaque?

That should be the motivation you need to drag yourself to the bathroom.

However, that’s not the case all the time.

Sometimes, the only thing that gets you out of bed early is needing to use the restroom. Worst-case scenario, it’s not even close to the time you normally get up.

No worries; you aren’t the only one who lacks motivation. Here are a few tricks you can incorporate to inspire you to brush your teeth.

Mindset shift

Stop thinking brushing your teeth is another task. It’s self-care. When you wake up and prioritize yourself, you can assist others. 

Flavor

Love bubble gum? Taste of a cool mint? Do you like a bit of spice?

Try alternating your toothbrush flavors. You’ll feel like your mouth is waking up to a new surprise every day.

Change out your toothbrush

According to the CDC, you should change out your toothbrush every 3 months. You don’t want to keep brushing your teeth several months later to discover that your toothbrush isn’t benefiting your teeth at all.

Oil Pull

If for some reason you can’t get out of bed, do an oil pull. Typically, I often discover people put oil in a small cup, swirl it in their mouth, rinse after five minutes, and brush teeth. But, after doing that for a while, I got tired of using up oil. So, I discovered Guru Nanda, and it changed everything for the better.

Character Inspiration Breakfast

Do you read a book and become captivated by a character or multiple characters? Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, create a breakfast that represents your favorite character.

Choose a character.

Select ingredients.

And cook.

It’s that simple. Want to get really creative? Create pancake or waffle shapes of your favorite character.

You may be thinking:

“I’m not a designer.”

“I can’t do that.”

Instead of assuming you can’t, why don’t you start small, find silicon shapes for your batter, and go from there?

Have fun! 

You never know; you may end up documenting how far you came with your breakfast creation and realizing you’ve created a masterpiece.

Favorite morning drink

Are you a tea or coffee person? 

Regardless, having your go-to drink prior to starting your day can make the difference. Anytime you go to the grocery store, pick that favorite drink or something new.

If you were on vacation, what would you choose to have a morning drink?

A mimosa?

A cocktail or mocktail?

Would you have a fresh cup of homemade orange juice?

There are no limits to the kind of drink you can have! So make your taste buds go wild.

Stretching

Do you ever wake up to an aching body? Have you felt like you slept on the wrong side of bed? Do you hear your bones crack when you walk?

It’s time to move your body. 

Take five to ten minutes out of the morning to stretch; it can change how you view your day.

Don’t want to get out of bed because you are comfortable?

Who says you need too?

Do bed stretches. A great resource is YouTube.

Watch how your flexibility improves overtime.

Character Soundtrack

Do you ever have that one song stuck in your head from reading a book or watching a movie? Suddenly, you find yourself throughout the week humming to the beat at random parts of your day just to brighten up your mood.

Here’s an idea: take a favorite scene, character, or place from your favorite book and create a playlist that makes you want to get up in the morning.

The moment you get out of bed, you could press play on your playlist. Do you not have time to listen to music in the morning?

Take your playlist on the go.

You can always jam out in the car to your destination. It’s a great way to start your morning on a good note.

Accountability Motivator

Do you know someone who loves waking up?

And you’re like, I don’t know how they do that.

Consider asking that person to call you in the morning. Another suggestion is to figure out what their morning routine is and incorporate it into yours.

You can adjust and make changes from their morning routine to fit your own.

Join a live writing session

Typically, people find these sessions through online groups and collaborate. Don’t be afraid to join; try one for yourself and see if it’s something you wouldn’t mind incorporating into your schedule.

Host a writing session

Can’t find a writing session that allows you to write in the morning? Start one. 

Stop waiting for others.

You are the master of your life. Host one. You shouldn’t worry if people show up because when you do writing sessions, you can look back on how much you accomplished.

Record yourself

Hold yourself accountable by recording yourself. 

See what motivates you to write.

Start setting standards for yourself.

What motivates you to find that scene, character, or dialogue?

Sometimes, you need a visual of yourself to truly understand what writing means to you.

You are your main audience.

Morning snapshot

Have you ever read a fictional novel that made you feel like the characters are an actual person?

Do you catch yourself going online to find merchandise for the book you read?

If so, don’t feel guilty.

Many others do it.

Did you find a pajama top or set that represents your novel? Wear it to bed.

When you wake up, take a photo of yourself wearing your set.

Let that image be your reminder that you could have merchandise for the book you wrote.

Journal

Do you go to bed but can’t sleep? Do you have too much on your mind?

Take out a journal, grab a pen, and express yourself. 

It will help reveal what’s cluttering your mind. 

Know your end goal

Feeling unmotivated can become draining when you second guess yourself on whether it is worth your time.

Realize that you can’t finish something you haven’t started. Let’s say you get half way through and decide to come back to your work later.

 Days, weeks, months, and years could pass you by.

When you look back, you realize that you could’ve been done had you’d remained consistent.

Realistic habits

When you are a writer, one of the worst things you can do is pressure yourself to get everything right. 

Thus, you can cause yourself to burn out.

Find your rhythm in a routine that allows flexibility. 

Start out small

Depending on your genre, you could second guess yourself on whether you can finish your craft at all. 

Instead of wondering what will happen, start with one page a day. Eventually, you will immerse your character’s storyline so that one page turns into multiple pages.

Progress is progress, especially when you are doing the work.

Change up morning routine

You don’t have to do things on a set schedule.

By changing up your schedule, you allow creativity to happen. 

Sometimes, you’ll come up with the most creative idea at an expected time.

Read

Pick up a book and read. 

Start your day with a book that motivates you to know what happens next or allows you a deeper connection to yourself.

Do you want to read something beyond your imagination? Select a fiction novel.

Do you want to challenge your mindset and grow? A nonfiction book can do that.

Tidy up in morning-make up bed

Set the tone for your day by tidying up your space. Simply make up your bed. 

Effort goes a long way.

Set phone or alarm at desk

Do you set your alarm?

But when it goes off, you find yourself waking up yawning, shutting it off, or tossing your phone.

If you use your phone or alarm clock, set it further away.

When it beeps in the morning, you’ll have to get up.

Use prompts

Expand your thoughts by using writing prompts.

An excellent book that has tons of prompts is The 4 a.m. Breakthrough by Brian Kiteley. 

Set the mood

Create an atmosphere that makes you feel at peace starting your day. Lighting a candle in the morning can ease your mind.

Let go.

And go on about your day. 

How to apply these ideas? Do a trial run for a day or a week. Use that time in the morning to take note of how your morning goes each day. A simple way to do this is getting out a notebook or calendar. Write down what takes place. For instance, you could map it out like this:

THE BREAKDOWN (MONDAY)

6: Wake up

6:30: Change into workout gear

7:20 Complete Workout

7:30:showers

7:55: Make breakfast.

8:15-at desk

VERSUS

THE BREAKDOWN (TUESDAY)

5:30: Make up bed

5:45: Glass of water

5:50: Light a candle at the desk and write

6:50: Stretch

7: Showers

7:30: Breakfast

 

Pack a bag the night before and include a notepad with a pen.

FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

Is getting up in the morning a struggle? No worries though; executing habits that result in positive change is key to accomplishing your writing goals. It’s imperative to know that it’s okay to be uncomfortable when adapting to change. Give yourself permission to take breaks. No matter what, figure out a flexible schedule that works for you. Dive into a routine that breaks and shapes you into an unstoppable morning writer machine. Over time, you’ll realize you are breaking barriers and limiting beliefs because you can look back and reflect on how much you accomplish. As a result, it can only happen when you decide to write.